Our Story
Coastal Montessori School is the story of five mothers from diverse backgrounds who share one vision: to bring a nurturing Montessori environment to their children and their community. We are all drawn to Montessori for different reasons—its respect for the child, its focus on independence, its encouragement of curiosity, and its ability to help children grow with confidence and purpose.
We all share the belief that children thrive when they are trusted, valued, and given the space to explore. Together, we have set out to create a school where every child’s unique potential is honored.
Rooted in Montessori principles and built through collaboration, dedication, and heart, our school represents the collective hope of five families—and the beginning of a thriving community where children can become their best selves.
Our mission is to nurture curious, confident, and compassionate learners by providing an authentic Montessori education from toddlerhood through the elementary years. We empower children to become self-directed learners and creative problem solvers. We cultivate a lifelong love of learning, and through an authentic Montessori education rooted in discovery, independence, and respect, we prepare students to thrive in a changing world while remaining deeply connected to their natural sense of wonder.
Montessori education nurtures the whole child: academically, socially, and emotionally. It fosters empathy, creativity, and confidence—qualities our world needs now more than ever. To bring this vision to life, we are seeking donations to support the construction and furnishing of our new school facility.
The Nonprofit Advantage
Investing in Your Child’ Future
Coastal Montessori is proud to operate as a dedicated non-profit organization. This is more than just a legal designation—it’s a foundational commitment that directs every single dollar back into the excellence of your child’s education.
How Does Being Non-Profit Benefit Our Community?
Unlike for-profit institutions, not a single board member or administrator takes home a profit. Our mission is solely to sustain and enhance the school.
This model ensures that:
• 100% of Revenue Stays in the Classroom: Your tuition is directly reinvested into the school's operations. This covers essential costs like teacher salaries, facility leases, utilities, and acquiring authentic, high-quality Montessori materials. Every dollar serves to keep the lights on and the lessons thriving.
• Reasonable and Responsible Tuition: Our tuition rates are set not for maximization of profit, but for necessity. They are thoughtfully calculated to be as reasonable as possible while guaranteeing we can continue to offer the authentic Montessori method and maintain the highest standards of safety and education.
• Benefit for Teachers and Children:
For the Children: They benefit from stable funding, well-maintained classrooms, and continuous investment in the best learning tools.
For the Teachers: Our focus is on retention and support, ensuring we can attract and retain passionate, certified Montessori guides who are dedicated to their craft, not just shareholders' interests.
For the Board (and You!): The Board's work is driven by a deep, shared purpose—ensuring the longevity and quality of the school for the next generation. Your trust and commitment are directly visible in the sustained excellence of our educational environment.
When you enroll your child at Coastal Montessori, you are not paying dividends; you are directly investing in the continuity and quality of a superior educational experience.
Coastal Montessori Board
Meet the Heart of Coastal Montessori!
Our school's foundation is built on the passion and commitment of five local moms who share an unwavering belief in the power of Montessori education.
We're not just a board; we're a tribe navigating the beautiful, chaotic reality of modern motherhood! In our meeting rooms—which are often Zoom calls squeezed between nap times and school pick-ups—you’ll find a vibrant mix of life:
• Tiny Mariners: We represent every age from brand new babies to six-year-olds.
• The Ultimate Juggle: 4 of us are currently pregnant or have a newborn!
• Our Reality: Think sticky computer screens, emergency snacks stashed in backpacks and briefcases, and the unique multitasking of nursing or bouncing a baby on our lap during important meetings.
We schedule calls around nap schedules and late-night feedings, all while pouring our hearts into this project. Why? Because we find this Montessori education to be so profoundly important for our children and yours. Every late-night email and sticky keyboard is driven by the desire to ensure this incredible learning environment continues to thrive.
Board of Directors
Libby Bunker
Madison Cook
Kristin Fellers
Courtney Kirkland
Millie Sweeney
Coastal Montessori is a labor of love, brought to you by mothers who are truly living the mission!
Why Montessori?
The Montessori Method
Backed by research, the Montessori method has been proven to have significant social and cognitive benefits, including higher self-esteem, stronger social skills, greater independence, and a deeper sense of community.
The Montessori methodology is based on the belief that children learn best through movement and work with their hands. All Montessori classrooms are carefully-prepared and designed to promote meaningful repetition. Children are given access to all classroom materials and have the right to work with those materials until they have completed their own cycle of activity. With repetition and routine, Montessori students master new skills at their own pace.
Montessori at Coastal
The Coastal Montessori School (CMS) curriculum is designed to challenge each student to consider, explore, and think deeply about themselves and the world around them. CMS students are free to move about the classroom and choose from curated hands-on materials. Teachers introduce works sequentially according to the students’ developmental needs. Guided by our expert faculty, CMS students forge a personal learning path that is well-rounded, rigorous, and self-driven.
CMS helps students form positive lifelong connections to learning, so they can flourish as confident, independent, socially responsible adults.